Eight losses in 12 regular-season games didn’t kill Kalani’s spirit. Instead, those tumbles — including five one-run defeats — prepared the Falcons well for the nitty-gritty of postseason play.

Brandon Medeiros went the distance for his sixth complete game of the year as Kalani upset Mililani 4-1 on Wednesday at the Trojans’ field. He outdueled Javen Sakauye; the game was tied at 0-0 going into the seventh inning.

Kalani (5-8) qualified for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference’s double-elimination tourney and will visit Kailua today. Mililani finished 6-7.

"Those guys can swing the bats," Medeiros said. "They were hitting hard, I had to be mentally tough and hit my spots. I believe in my defense. They got my back."

Chase Sumida was a key contributor behind the plate and at the plate, going 3-for-4, including a two-run double in Kalani’s four-run seventh.

Medeiros scattered seven hits and walked no one.

Both pitchers escaped without harm in the first inning after both teams loaded the bases.

"We played well for six innings, but our Achilles’ heel all year has been not playing all seven innings," Trojans coach Mark Hirayama said.

Sakauye walked Jarrin Nomura to start the top of the seventh, and after Medeiros reached on a throwing error, Hirayama called Troy Kakugawa to the mound. Kakugawa walked Jase Furuya to load the bases, then walked Sean Romo. That forced Nomura in from third.

Trevor Ozaki followed with a single to right, scoring courtesy runner Kanoa Wong. Sumida then hit a hard grounder inside the third-base bag for a double, driving in the final two runs.

Mililani got a run in the bottom of the seventh when Shanztyn Agbayani-Shibao singled and scored on Ekolu Ramos’ double to left. But with one out and runners on second and third, Medeiros retired Chad Uyehara and Kakugawa to end the game.

"When I was small, nobody gave me a shot because I was never the biggest athlete," Medeiros said. "My dad always said, ‘Son, things are measured. Your height. Your weight. Your (speed). But there are things that you can’t measure: your confidence, your mental toughness, your physical toughness.’"